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Home » Easy Dinners » The Best Classic Chili

The Best Classic Chili

May 19, 2018

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The Best Classic Chili – This traditional chili recipe is just like mom used to make with ground beef, beans, and a simple homemade blend of chili seasonings.

The Best Classic Chili recipe in a red bowl topped with cheese and sour cream

This classic chili is perfect for a weeknight meal because it can be made in minutes.  The only thing to chop is an onion.

How do you make good homemade chili?

  • Heat olive in a large soup pot. 
  • Add chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes.
  • Add ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon.
  • Cook for 6-7 minutes.

onions and ground beef sautéing in a soup pot

  • Add chili powder, cumin, sugar, tomato paste, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and optional cayenne. 
  • Stir until well combined.

chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, sugar, salt, and pepper over browned beef and onions in a pot

  • Add diced tomatoes, kidney beans, beef broth, and tomato sauce. 
  • Stir well.

diced tomatoes over chili seasoned ground beef and onions in a soup pot

  • Simmer for 20-25 minutes.
  • Let the chili rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

beans, beef broth, and tomato sauce added to chili seasoned beef, onions, and tomatoes in a pot

What do you top chili with?

In addition to the chili ingredients listed in this recipe for chili, you may also want to have these things as toppings.

  • shredded cheddar cheese
  • sour cream
  • sliced green onions
  • saltine crackers or oyster crackers
  • diced avocado

What goes well with chili for dinner?

  • Bacon Cheddar Jalapeno Cornbread
  • Quick & Easy Cornbread
  •  Two Ingredient Nutella Brownies

I’ve been playing around with this chili recipe for the past few months, making it many times.  My family didn’t mind the repetition at all because I really do believe that I ended up with the best chili ever!

Watch the step by step recipe video for this chili recipe below.

The best classic chili recipe in a red bowl topped with cheddar cheese and sour cream

The Best Classic Chili Recipe

The Best Classic Chili - This traditional chili recipe is just like mom used to make with ground beef, beans, and a simple homemade blend of chili seasonings.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 334kcal
Author: Amanda Finks
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
4.96 from 1938 votes

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion -diced
  • 1 pound 90% lean ground beef
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper* -optional
  • 1 1/2 cups beef broth
  • 1 (15 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes
  • 1 (16 oz.) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce

Instructions

  • Add the olive oil to a large soup pot and place it over medium-high heat for two minutes. Add the onion. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the ground beef to the pot. Break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6-7 minutes, until the beef is browned, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the chili powder, cumin, sugar, tomato paste, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and optional cayenne. Stir until well combined.
  • Add the broth, diced tomatoes (with their juice), drained beans, and tomato sauce. Stir well.
  • Bring the liquid to a low boil. Then, reduce the heat (low to medium-low) to gently simmer the chili, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Remove the pot from the heat. Let the chili rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

I typically skip the cayenne pepper because I have a young kiddo.  Then, I put out some hot sauce for those adults that want to add some spiciness to their chili.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/6th of the recipe | Calories: 334kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 1249mg | Potassium: 1110mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1445IU | Vitamin C: 12.8mg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 7.5mg
Course Dinner, Entree, Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword best chili, chili recipe, classic chili, homemade chili
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Check out all of my great ground beef recipes.

2 image collage with text showing The Best Classic Chili
« Crock Pot Italian Chicken Tortellini Soup
The Best Classic Lasagna »

Comments

  1. Nancy says

    March 15, 2022 at 5:55 PM

    I used chicken broth and seasoned diced tomatoes. Added a drizzle of olive oil. It turned out delicious.

    Reply
  2. Cody says

    March 16, 2022 at 1:17 PM

    5 stars
    Great recipe, I added liquid smoke to the beef and added corn and peppers. Turned out to be the best chili I’ve ever made! Thanks a bunch!!:)

    Reply
  3. Bri says

    March 16, 2022 at 2:40 PM

    What can I use instead of beef broth ?

    Reply
  4. Kimberly says

    March 16, 2022 at 2:48 PM

    5 stars
    Sooooo yummy! THe best chili I’ve made! I just put in about 3/4 Tbsp less chili powder so it wouldn’t be spicy for me or the kids!

    Reply
  5. HeatherAnn O’Clair says

    March 16, 2022 at 7:47 PM

    I used elk burger, and this is probably THE BEST chili I have ever made ! Thanks so very much for the recipe

    Reply
  6. Andrew says

    March 17, 2022 at 10:55 PM

    5 stars
    This chili is criminally good. Please make this. You will thank me later.

    Reply
  7. Barbara says

    March 19, 2022 at 3:05 PM

    5 stars
    It was delicious! The recipe was exact, the ingredients were on-hand, and the directions were simple to follow!
    Thank you for this recipe. It will be used now for every time I make chili.

    Reply
  8. Sarah says

    March 20, 2022 at 5:59 PM

    5 stars
    I typically like spicier chili, however with three picky kids, I made this recipe and they all loved it. I continue to follow this recipe now and we enjoy it.

    Reply
  9. Keiome says

    March 20, 2022 at 9:48 PM

    5 stars
    I’ve added this to my regular rotation of recipes. It truly is a classic chili. Husband loves it. And I love how easy it is to make ;3

    Reply
  10. Sam & Dave says

    March 20, 2022 at 10:55 PM

    Incredible recipe! I made it for my boyfriend. I added chopped red bell pepper and it was delicious! I also kept the stove on low heat prior to serving so it stayed warm. Thank you!!!

    Reply
  11. Bekah says

    March 20, 2022 at 11:57 PM

    5 stars
    Turned out great! Will use again, thank you!

    Reply
  12. Patrick Ford says

    March 21, 2022 at 6:29 PM

    5 stars
    I made this this evening, following the recipe exactly as written, with one exception. I added a 4 oz. can of diced Hatch chili peppers. This is the best pot of chili I’m made in a long time and it was certainly the easiest.👍👍👍👍

    Reply
  13. Mei says

    March 21, 2022 at 6:38 PM

    5 stars
    Sooo good. I really like this recipe. Easy to follow and delicious.

    Reply
  14. Donna B says

    March 21, 2022 at 7:06 PM

    5 stars
    I always thought I made great chili… then my husband became a recipe chaser and then everyone preferred his to mine…. Until I found this recipe…..the first time I forgot the sugar and it was amazing! No leftovers!!!! Tonight I followed exactly!!! YUMMY!!!

    Reply
  15. Scott C. says

    March 23, 2022 at 2:08 AM

    5 stars
    I just made my 3rd round of this chili and my family loves it. Easy to make fast recipe on a school night the day of and it turns out fantastic. Usually chili is better the next day as is true with this recipe but not necessary. Even with an 8 and 11 year old I use the cayenne and get no complaints.

    Reply
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Hi, I’m Amanda Finks –

Amanda Finks, RDN Profile Picture for The Wholesome DishI’m a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist living in Zionsville, IN. I’m an avid cook, travel nerd, & lover of good food! I’m trained in Food Science & recipe development.  It’s my mission to bring you the BEST recipes your whole family will love!  See More.

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